– A voice against upper caste atrocities

Consensus needed to tackle violence against Dalits: Wasnik

New Delhi, July 02: Worried about violence against Dalits in the country, the government today said a consensus will have to evolved along with states to curb such incidents.

Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Mukul Wasnik said violent incidents against Dalits were “an issue of concern”.

“However, it is not only a political issue, but a consensus needs to be built along with states to tackle this problem,” he said.

He said special courts have been set up in nine states to deal with such incidents.

The government had in 2004 formed a commission to deal with such cases, Wasnik said adding, it has till date held eight meetings with state governments. “But more meetings are required to be held with greater number of states in future,” he said.